Michigan vs. Iowa odds, picks and predictions for Big Ten Championship
The Michigan Wolverines (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) and Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2, 7-2) meet in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Michigan vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wolverines held off rival Ohio State 30-24 n Ann Arbor last weekend in a battle of unbeatens, and what many consider the true Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan has also picked up the pace against the number, going 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 8 games overall.
As far as the total is concerned, Michigan has cashed the Over at a 6-1-1 pace across the past 8 games overall.
The Hawkeyes have been offensively-challenged all season, but man does Iowa have a lockdown defense. The Hawkeyes are in Indianapolis because of that D, allowing just 279.3 total yards, 174.3 passing yards, 104.9 rushing yards and 12.2 points per game.
Iowa looked to have fumbled away its chance of a Big Ten West Division title with a 12-10 loss at home to Minnesota, losing Floyd of Rosedale in the process. However, it won 3 straight to close out the season, while the Gophers and rival Wisconsin each couldn't win out.
The Under has cashed in 6 in a row for Iowa, including a 27.5-point total which cashed low in a 22-0 win over Rutgers on Nov. 11, and a 25.5-point total in a 13-10 win at Nebraska last Saturday. It was the lowest betting total since betting totals were tracked since 2000. And since 2000, the total has been offered at 34 or lower, and Iowa has been involved in 8 of those games.
Michigan is No. 2 and Iowa is No. 17 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by Paste BN Sports.
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Michigan vs. Iowa odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday 7:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100) | Iowa +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan -21.5 (-115) | Iowa +21.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 35.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Michigan vs. Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 25, Iowa 9
Moneyline
It won't be pretty, but Michigan (-2500) will get the job done in Indianapolis, securing its 3rd consecutive trip to the College Football Playoffs.
However, AVOID playing such high favorites, as no one needs 4 bucks this much to risk $100.
Against the spread
IOWA +21.5 (-115) is worth a look, even though the offense has been rough. And if you were depending on the revenge factor, with former Wolverines QB Cade McNamara and TE Erick All getting a shot at their old team, both players are lost for the year due to knee injuries. That would've been a great story.
The Hawkeyes don't have the offense to hang, but the defense is fierce, and Michigan -21.5 (-115) will have to settle for a lot more field goals than it is used to.
Over/Under
UNDER 35.5 (-110) is always the go-to in Iowa games.
This is a championship game, and Iowa has a championship defense. It's offense, well, it might be championship at the middle school level.
There is risk here, as Michigan has gone Over at a 6-1-1 clip in the past 8 games. But Iowa has a great defense, and don't forget, so does Michigan. The Wolverines have allowed just 10.3 PPG, which is statistically better than the Hawkeyes, and it has allowed just 247.4 total yards per game, too. It's hard to envision Iowa getting into double digits.
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